Well guys and dolls it's a short list this week. If you know a FABULOUS blog or site, Disney or no, let me hear all about it! Drop me a line thedragynslair@gmail.com
You guys and dolls remember that FABULOUS episode of Project Runway Allstars when Miss Piggy was a guest judge don't you? Well if you don't you better find it online!!! It was wonderful. But I am not here to talk about the show. I want to talk DRESSES!!! I got to see these creations in person which is so cool. Some are a fabulous as you could imagine. But truth is others look REALLY cheap and poorly made. I mean I saw seams hanging out and lose threads. I know it's just for the runway but it looked so bad... In any case it was cool to see (and touch) the dresses. Did you see the episode? What did you think?
Hey guys and dolls! Long time no blog and frankly I MISSED YOU!!! Now back to business...
So I decided to jump on the bandwagon so to speak and list a few of my favorite vacation planning tips. I would love to say that this will be a top 10 in order but really I am just listing as many tips as I can in no particular order...
Ask questions! Ask lots of questions to as many Disney fans as you know and ask different people the same question. "What is the best Disney resort?" is a question that can receive a lot of different answers and what you want to get is a consensus. Also ask specific questions: "What resort is best for a family of four with a budget?"
Ask the "experts". I put experts in quotes because there are a LOT of Disney fans and fanatics out there who love Disney and know a lot but may only have expertise in a few areas. If you find one site that seems to be all about Disney food you may not want to ask them about rides. But you should DEFINITELY ask the food site about Disney burgers.
Send for a trip planning DVD. I don't know if this will really help with details of trip planning but the overview will give you a place to start and help get you amped up for your trip.
Go HERE and make a custom map. The planning section of the Disney World website has a place where you can make your own custom map. Once you make a map you can print it out or get it specially made and sent to you. These are 100% FREE! I love them. I still love to make them. You can pick and choose what attractions you want and what parks you want to go to. So much fun.
Make a MUST do, WANT to do, and MAYBE do list. You cannot, and I repeat CANNOT do it all at Disney World. It is impossible. I have tried. So do vacation triage and decide what attractions, restaurants, shows, etc you MUST do while on vacation. And keep the must list as small as you can. For example my MUST list usually includes a trip to Epcot and a ride on Spaceship Earth. If you keep your must list small it is easy to do and you'll feel like you've gotten the most out of your vacation.
Read! Read blogs and guide books and vacation planning sites. Read it all. This is your first trip so you know nothing. The more you read the more you will know what's up.
Go to the events page at DisneyWorld.com. Disney does a LOT of events during the year. And these events are usually park specific. Epcot has the food and wine festival as an example. During these events the parks they are being held at can be CROWDED. This can severely hinder your ability to ride the rides you wanted or see the shows you wanted to see. If you know when these events are happening and if they're during your vacation you can then decide if you would like to participate or avoid them. Instead of being caught off guard with wall to wall people.
Check the weather! Florida weather is funky to say the least ("Funky" is Dragyn speak for "all over the place"). There are certain times of year when it rains monsoon style. Other times of years when it's so hot you could fry an egg on pavement. And if you travel during the winter it can be COLD! Not "Florida cold" But actually quite chilly. I have had to pack a jacket for a Disney vacation more than once. Check the weather and pack accordingly.
Invest the most time in the planning stage of your vacation. I think this is really key. As much as I like to play it by ear and just go with the flow that can sometime get you in trouble. If you invest a lot of time before your trip planning and scheduling when you are actually on vacation you can just do what you planned. You don't have to think or figure out what you want to do. That's what the planning stage is for. If you wait until you are at Disney to plan it's too late. You'll be stressed out trying to take in all that information and still do interesting things. So plan ahead so you can relax.
I think that's it for my best tips. What do you think? Anything you'd like to add?
Hey guys and dolls. You know what one of my favorite things is? To curl up with a mug of my favorite coffee, tea, cocoa, etc. These things taste even better in a Disney mug. Don't believe me? Try it for yourselves and see if your drinks don't taste better when Mickey is staring back at you.
With that in mind I decided to share my 5 favorite mugs with you. I've collected them over the years and they are my go to when it comes to hot beverages... Or soup, or cereal. Did I mention these mugs are HUGE? I use them all the time and keeping them clean is a bit of a chore. ;-)
I hate to pick favorites but I have them. I won't tell you which but they may not be the ones you expect. Although if you follow me on twitter you've probably seen pics of these before. So without further ado (and as I seem to have completely run out of words!) Enjoy the pics!
If you noticed this week was entirely guest posts! (This little Dragyn needed a break. ;-) So Let me link you again to my guests and their sites or Twitter accounts!
http://www.thishappyplaceblog.com/: Stelle and Chelle are two close friends who like to share their opinions and passion for Disney. Make sure and check them out. Tell them DragynAlly sent you. And if you or someone you know has a great site (Disney or not) tell me about it! thedragynslair@gmail.com And if you ever want to write for the Lair you let me know!
Check out Kelly's other great art at http://www.paintpalettearts.webs.com. And maybe I can convince her to make another appearance in the Lair soon! ;-)
Editor's Note: Due to blogger hating me most of the pics are after the post.
As a loyal reader, I love Fashion Friday at The Dragyn’s
Lair and so am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute some of my own
thoughts on how to incorporate that Disney touch of magic into the things we
wear on an everyday basis. Without a doubt, what we wear has as much effect on
our mood as the weather outside – if you’re wearing something special, how can
you help but beam?!
As far as I’m concerned, beautiful things will help to
beautify your mood every time, and my favourite place to shop for these
twinkles is at The Siren’s Grotto on Etsy. This treasure trove is owned by a
true siren of the sea, Traci Hines, who makes every single adornment in her
Grotto by hand. This means that none of the accessories here are the same as
any other – your favourite accoutrement will be as unique as you are!
Traci
Traci’s treasures include something for absolutely everyone,
from a sparkle-loving gal who wants something subtle to brighten up her outfit,
to a dedicated cosplayer who needs the perfect wig or costume accessory. Read
on for a taste of the pretty pearls to be discovered in the Grotto…
Pick up a set of Siren Eyelashes, for a flashing flutter
that will stop traffic!
Iridescent starfish hair adornments of all shapes, sizes and
colours – there is a veritable rainbow of gorgeousness to choose from!
Pixie-perfect blossoms and blooms are inspired by fairies
and princesses alike:
Starfish headbands are perfect for the Hipster Mermaid. (Or
for just dealing with a crazy hair day!)
Sparkle-spangled hair accessories, from bejewelled bows to
dazzling Dinglehoppers:
Shimmering sea star jewellery includes rings and necklaces
in a myriad of colours.
Custom mermaid sea-shells are made to order to every sea
siren’s taste!
A selection of wigs, your crowning glory, come in a wide
array of princess styles.
And for the season that’s in it, you can even pick up a
custom Siren’s Grotto holiday ornament, guaranteed to compliment any tree!
This is but a tiny selection of the wonders on offer at The
Siren’s Grotto. As well as keeping the Grotto stocked with ready-to-ship
goodies, Traci also takes custom orders and will work with you to create the
perfect accessory to compliment your style, taste and your own unique
‘muchness’. It’s true that you’re never fully dressed without a smile, and one
glimpse at the glistening glitter distinctive of a Grotto creation will bring
out the Chesire Cat grin in you! I can certainly vouch for that!
The Siren’s Grotto ships items internationally. For queries,
contact Traci through any one of these websites:
